Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Businesses and Employers Bulletin
31 March 2020
Offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business
Use this service to tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. The support needed includes things like:
- medical testing equipment
- medical equipment design
- protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
- hotel rooms
- transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
- manufacturing equipment
- warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
- expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
- social care or childcare
To offer support click here.
Temporary changes to Right to Work (RTW) checks during the coronavirus outbreak
Since 30 March 2020, Right to Work checks have been temporarily adjusted to make it easier for employers to carry them out during the coronavirus outbreak. Until further notice, employers do not need to see original documents and can complete Right to Work checks over video calls.
Prospective workers are now able to submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have the right to work. Checks continue to be necessary and it is an offence to knowingly employ or let property to anyone who does not have legal immigration status in the UK.
If prospective or existing employees cannot provide any of the accepted documents, employers should use the Employer Checking Service. Once the temporary changes end, employers will be asked to carry out prescribed checks on existing employees who started work during the pandemic.
- Further guidance on what this means for employers can be found on GOV.UK.
Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Call for businesses to help make NHS ventilators
Thank you to all those who offered support. We will be matching requirements and will reach out to companies individually.
Business Intelligence: share the impact Coronavirus is having on your organisation
We welcome information from businesses on impacts across supply, demand and labour markets, actions to address these impacts, and any gaps in the Government response from your perspective. Please send your intelligence to intel@beis.gov.uk. We are aware that individual company information may be commercially sensitive, and it will be treated accordingly. Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice.
